ABSTRACT: 2013 ELATE Institutional Action Project Poster Symposium
Project Title: Translational Research Program For Biomedical Engineering at Drexel
Name and Institution: Karen Moxon Drexel University
Collaborators: Deans Banu Onaral and Donna DiCarolis. Davood Tashywood, Bob McGrath
Associate Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship and Technology Commercialization
Background, Challenge or Opportunity: Translational research represents that area of research
that takes advances in basic science and develops them into devices/methods/practices that
improve the human condition. From members of the business community, it is often included
as entrepreneurship, which is not the same thing. From the scientific community, most of the
effort remains at the border from basic science to clinical research with little work done to
establish best practices that can increase the likelihood of moving advances to the marketplace.
The challenge will be to ensure that resources are available for early stage translational
research and not reserved for later stages entrepreneurship.
Purpose/Objectives: There are two objectives. The first is to educate Biomedical Engineering
faculty on 1) translational research in general, 2) resources available in general to promote
translation research, 3) specific resources within the Delaware Valley community for
translational research and 4) how to take advantage of these resources. The second is to
educate students in the opportunities available for translational research, provide them with
some basic skills to be successful in translational research careers and what a career in
translational research would mean.
Methods/Approach: To educate faculty, we will use a series of seminars and workshops. For
students, we will work closely with the new Close School of Entrepreneurship to offer joint
courses and a minor degree.
Outcomes and Evaluation: Outcomes for Biomedical Engineering faculty are two-fold. The first
is an expected increase in number of translational research proposal submitted and funded
from Drexel University. The second is an expected increase in the number of technologies from
Drexel faculty sold or licensed. To improve the program, we would also develop an
assessment/feedback mechanism. Outcomes for students are tied to our existing assessment
set-up in AEFIS. These assessments include the traditional satisfaction with what they have
learned and their ability to engage in lifelong learning. In addition, we are especially interested
to know students who enter career paths in academic translational, go to work for existing
start-up companies or start their own companies.
Enriching Translational Research in Biomedical Engineering
Karen Moxon, Ph.D.
Professor Biomedical Engineering
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University
Presented at the 2013 ELATE® Leaders Forum
Background
Advances made in basic biomedical research are the results
of the greatest investments our society can make for the
future of the US economy. Direct return on this investment is
booming as evidenced by our increased understanding of
biological systems.
However, its impact, in terms of preventative medicine, new
therapies and diagnostics, is growing far more modestly.
'Translational research' is seen as a solution to this disparity,
ensuring that the bounty of discoveries is effectively
'translated' into benefits in the everyday world of medicine.
Translational research has a key role to play in improving our
lives and also in completing the social contract between
researchers and the taxpayers who help fund them in
expectation of future cures
The central goal of this project is to enhance the mission of
Drexel University by increasing translational research at the
institution.
Research
Strategic
Initiatives
Intensify and Improve
the Student Experience
Faculty
Customers
Core
Processes
Enhance Educational
Opportunities
 Develop
faculty talent
 Stronger advising
 Experiential education
Advance knowledge and society and
provide every student with a valuable,
rigorous, experiential, technology-infused
education
Academic Success
If faculty are to successfully engage in translational research they
must understand the needs of industry during the process of
bringing new therapies and diagnostics to market as well as
avenues for testing and disseminating preventive medicine
strategies. This requires new educational practices for faculty and
students.
At the same time it is likely that industry will also need to change.
For examples, industry may increase direct payments to
universities to solve problem that it defines. In some cases,
industry may need to free research and development from
concerns related to marketing and sales infrastructure. In addition,
some industries, such as the pharmaceutical industry, may need to
be restructured. This is beyond the scope of this project.
Finally, University technology-transfer offices are critical to move
this relationship forward and streamline the partnership. It is
important that these offices support the process and not become a
hindrance. This requires updating the administrative resources in
partnership with faculty.
Existing
Resources
Regional
Economy
Students
Increase Quality and Quantity of
Translational Research
 Provide
Education
 Improve Admin Services
 Provide Financial Investment
Approach
The relationship between academia and industry is the key to
successful translation. Closer collaboration, including opportunities
for each to better understand the needs and assets of the other, is
required.
Critical differences between entrepreneurship and
translational research must be understood.
Enhance Drexel’s
Global Impact
Close School
Education
Create an Innovation Nexus for Research,
Technology Transfer, and Economic
Development
Engage the Regional and
National Community
Tech Transfer
 Develop Partnerships
 Develop Exchange Hubs
Science Center
Focus on Translational Research Education
•Workshops
• Utilize Coulter Foundation Method/Science Center (Quorum)
• Focus on NIH T1 issues
• Roundtables
• Identify Needs of Researchers & Industry
• Engage Region Resources (Ben Franklin Tech., BioAdvance, etc)
• Engage Drexel Research Administration
• Advisory services
• Mentorship
• T-Researcher –in-residence
University Institutions:
Donna DeCarolis, PhD
Director Close School for Entrepreneurship
Senior Associate Vice Provost for
Entrepreneurship and
Technology Commercialization
Janet Fleetwood, Ph.D –
Vice Provost for Strategic Development
 Accelerate
Co-op
Students
Director School of Biomedical Engineering
Robert B. McGrath, Ph.D. –
Regional
Industry
Faculty
Project Mentor: Banu Onaral, PhD
Clinicians
Existing
curricula
Baiada
Center
Identified Strategic
Partners
• Undergraduates
• Minors program with Close
School
• Entrepreneurship vs. translational
research
• Master’s Program
• Internships
• Thesis opportunities
• PhD Program
• Interdisciplinary
• Partnership with faculty/industry
Keith A. Orris –
Senior Vice President For Corporate
Relations & Economic Development
Goals




Buy-in from strategic partners
Minimize overlap/redundancy
Maximize synergy
Strong return on investment
Assessment
 Faculty satisfaction with workshops and
roundtables: questionnaire at the end of the
event
 Faculty satisfaction with advisory services:
repeat visits, referrals, follow-up surveys
 Student reviews through current AEFIS
system
 Increased translational grant submissions
and funding
 Increased licensing agreements
 Increased industry funding for research